Karl J
Well-known member
Went up to Breydon this morning to do the incoming rising tide thing, one of the main aims was to try my hand at counting the flocks of 100's of Black-tailed Godwit, Avocet and Golden Plover.
I didn't go 'in search' ..... more just 'wait here and see what turns up' overlooking the eastern mudflat
Unfortunately it turned out the godwit and plover were well camouflaged in amongst the low vegetation so I couldn't even attempt those, but the Avocet went somewhat better. The timing was right to see the flock flying in, in small groups of birds over about 30 mins which was quite a sight, something I haven't watched before.
After making several attempted counts using various methods (counting individually, counting in 20's & 50's, box-counting ) I settled on totals of between 470 & 550 for different methods. So I think about 500 is an estimate of their number.
Does that number sound reasonable ?
........ Having said that, I really hope Birdwatching Mag doesn't turn round and say theres only 150 when it comes out in late Sept !
On top of that the other highlights were :
Greenshank x 5
Grey Plover ... x 2 in particularly striking summer plumage
Little Egret x 2
Kingfisher x 1 .... first one I've seen on Breydon. A good view of it inflight, perched on a post, hovering and plunging into the dyke.
The massed flock of waders - Ringed Plover, Blk tail Godwit, Lapwing, Redshank, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Whimbrel, gulls + the above-mentioned Avocet was a real spectacle when they all startled up in flight. Amazing just how many there are when they all go up.
A very good couple of hours.
I didn't go 'in search' ..... more just 'wait here and see what turns up' overlooking the eastern mudflat
Unfortunately it turned out the godwit and plover were well camouflaged in amongst the low vegetation so I couldn't even attempt those, but the Avocet went somewhat better. The timing was right to see the flock flying in, in small groups of birds over about 30 mins which was quite a sight, something I haven't watched before.
After making several attempted counts using various methods (counting individually, counting in 20's & 50's, box-counting ) I settled on totals of between 470 & 550 for different methods. So I think about 500 is an estimate of their number.
Does that number sound reasonable ?
........ Having said that, I really hope Birdwatching Mag doesn't turn round and say theres only 150 when it comes out in late Sept !
On top of that the other highlights were :
Greenshank x 5
Grey Plover ... x 2 in particularly striking summer plumage
Little Egret x 2
Kingfisher x 1 .... first one I've seen on Breydon. A good view of it inflight, perched on a post, hovering and plunging into the dyke.
The massed flock of waders - Ringed Plover, Blk tail Godwit, Lapwing, Redshank, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Whimbrel, gulls + the above-mentioned Avocet was a real spectacle when they all startled up in flight. Amazing just how many there are when they all go up.
A very good couple of hours.
